Pressing machine control



Dec. 28, 3937. 1. M. DEWEY PRESSING MACHINE CONTROL Filed OC. l, 1935 -l, .............u` .L

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Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED s'rATss PRESSING MACHINE CONTROL James M. Dewey, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood, Qhio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 1, 1935, Serial No. 43,066 23 Claims. (Cl. 35i- 25) This invention relates to improvements in control mechanism for pressing machines and is particularly applicable to machines used for pressing garments and laundry articles.

An object of thepresent'invention is to provide control mechanism for a pressing machine which is operated by power means through a two-step operation, namely, a rst step into preliminary closed position and a second step into nal closed position. In such a machine I provide control members for actuating the power means through each step of its operation, a power device for actuating the second step control member and an operative connection whereby the power device is actuated by movement of the rst step control member.

My invention also provides in a pressing machine which is closed in two ysteps as above described a control member for controlling second step operation, a power device for actuating the second step control member and normally out of effective engagement with the member, and an operative connection with the first step control member for moving the power device first into effective engagement with the second step control member and then in control member actuating direction upon movement of the iirs't step control member into and then Yout of power supply position.

My invention also includes a special arrangement of control mechanism for a pressing machine in which each of the coacting pressing members is movable toward the other, one of the members being rst moved to position adjacent the other by mechanism which holds the one pressing member when the other pressing member is moved into nal engagement with the first named member. In such a machine motor means is provided for moving each member and the control for the second motor means is operative only after movement of the rst motor means control into and out of power supply position.

My inventionalso includes novel power devices for operating a pressing machine control valve.

My invention includes other Vnovel arrangements of the control mechanism for carrying out the above purposes as will more clearly appear from the accompanying,specication when taken with the drawing and the essential features will be summarized in the claims.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section showing a pressing machine embodying my invention and with the control mechanism therefor shown diagrammatically; Figs. 2 and 3 show a modification ci a portion of the control mechanism of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 being a section taken along the line 3-3 oi Fig. 2.

I have illustrated my novel control mechanism as applied to a pressing machine such as is used .in pressing garments, textiles and laundry goods and in which the coacting pressing members rst have a relative movement into preliminary closed position and a final movement into completely closed position. My control mechanism is applicable to such a pressing machine if one of the 'pressing members is moved in two steps toward the other, but I have chosen to illustrate a machine in which each of the pressing members is movable toward the other. Y

The machine of Fig. 1 comprises a frame I0 which carries a head lever II pivotally mounted on the frame at I2 and carrying at its forward end a pressing head I3. For moving the pressing head from open position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to position adjacent the pressing bed as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, I provide a pair of toggle links I4 and I5 connected between the rear end of the head lever and the frame. When the head is in the broken line position of Fig. 1 the toggle links have been moved into and beyond straightened position to their broken line position, such movement being limited by engagement of the shoulders Ma, I5a. A spring `It normally biases the links toward broken position which corresponds with the open position of the head. A motor I'I is provided for moving the head and its associated mechanism to the broken line position, this motor comprising a cylinder IIa housing a piston IIb whose piston rod I1c is connected to the toggle links. Motive uid is supplied to motor I'I from a suitable source I8 through conduit I9, valve casing 20, conduit 2|, valve casing 22 andfconduits 23 and 2li. In conduit 24 is located a check valve 25 permitting flow of motive fluid toward the motor only as shown by the arrow and a bypass 26 of small capacity around the check valve fora purpose later disclosed. Valve casing and 22 are similar so that only one willbe described and the parts of the other given similar characteristics. Valve casing 20 houses a normally closed inlet valve 20a and a normally open outlet valve 20b,both on a stem 20c which is actuated by the manual 20d. A spring biases the valves to their normal position.

For coaction with the pressing head I3 I provide a bed 21 which is mounted on a portion of the frame 28 for vertical movement which is guided by a sleeve 29 connected with the bed. A motor 30 is provided for raising the bed into engagementwith the head after the latter has been moved to the broken line position of Fig. l. This motor comprises a cylinder 30a housing a piston 3G17 and having a piston rod 3Go arranged to contact a portion of the bed. Motive fluid is supplied to motor 3G from source I8 or other suitable iiuid supply through conduit Si, valve casing 32 and conduit 33. Casing 32 houses a normally closed inlet valve 32a and a normally open outlet valve 32h which are mounted on a common member 32e which is pivotally connected at 32a?l on a suitable portion of the frame. The member 32e which resembles a walking beam has an upstanding arm 32e by which the valves may be actuated. A spring Sli biases the valves in casing 32 to their normal positions.

A power device 35 is provided for actuating the valves in casing 32. Various modifications of this device are possible but in the form shown a casing 35a houses a differential piston arrangement comprising a smaller piston 35h and a larger piston 35o which are mounted on a connecting member 35d from which depends a bracket 36 which pivotally supports a latch member 3l'. The casing 35a, is cut away at 35e to permit the bracket 36 to move during operation of the power device. Means is provided for biasing the power device toward the position shown in Fig. l and in the present instance this is accomplished by continuously supplying line pressure through conduit 38 to the right hand face of piston 3513. It will be understood, however, that the power device might be biased to the position shown by spring means if desired. The latch member 31 is arranged at its right hand end with a hook member 37a which is adapted to engage a notch 32j on the valve actuating arm 32e. The other end of the latch member 31 is pivotally connected by rod 39 with a treadle i0 which in turn is pivotally mounted on the frame l0. A spring 4| biases the tre-adle toward its upward position which also biases the latch member 3l toward latching position.

The power device 35 is normally out of effective engagement with the valve actuating arm 32e and I provide an operative connection between the control members 20d and 22d for supplying power to energize the device 35 upon actuation of the control members 20d and 22d. The form of connection I have chosen to illustrate is a conduit connection 42 between conduit 23 and the power device so that motive fluid is supplied to the left face of piston 35o upon actuation of the safety two-hand control.

With the parts in the full line position of Fig. l, the operation of this form of the control mechanism is as follows: The operator arranges the lay of the work upon the bed 2'lf'and actuates manuals Zid and 22d by pressing in on each of them, it being understood that these manuals are located at a suicient dist-ance apart to require a hand of the operator on each of them. Motive uid is not effectively supplied to motor l'! unless both of these manuals are actuated as otherwise an outlet port in one of the valve.l casings remains open. Upon actuation of both manuals however, fluid is supplied to motor il through conduits 23 and 24 and check valve 25,?there being of course a slight flow through bypass 26.

.Motor Il then moves the toggle links and pressing head to the broken line position of Fig. l and it will be apparent that if at this time either of the manuals 20d and 22d be released the spring I6 will open the press. Upon the supply of pressure uid through conduit 23 some Viiuid also flows through conduit 42 to the left face of piston 35o thus overcoming the eiect of a like pressure on the smaller piston 35h and causing the differential piston device to move toward the right. This carries the latching device Sl into engagement with the arm 32e and thereafter when the operator releases one or both of the manuals Zd and 22d fluid is exhausted through conduits 42 and 23 and one of the outlet ports, for instance, the normally open outlet valve 22h. 'Ihe biasing pressure against the right hand face of piston 35h is again eiTective to move the differential piston device toward the left, thus carrying latch device 3l toward the left and moving arm 32e in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot. This closes valve 32h and opens valve 32a to supply motive iiuid through conduit 33 to motor 30. The bed then rises into engagement with the head and the press remains closed due to the action of the differential piston device holding the valves in casing 32 in their operated position as Well as to the holding elect of the motive fluid exerted upon the valve disk of outlet valve 32h. While the device will operate as just described I insure against a false operation by the arrangement of check valve 25 and bypass 26 because while iiuid may enter cylinder Ila at a high rate through the check valve it is exhausted at a low rate through the bypass 23 so that the toggle links are not moved out of their strut forming position upon release of manuals 20d and 22 before motor 3) has moved the bed 2 into engagement with the head which holds the toggle links in their strutforming position. To open the press the operator deprssses treadle 4i] which disengages latch member 31 from arm 32e thus permitting spring 34 to return the valves in casing 32 to their normal huid exhaust position whereupon motor 30 is evacuated and the bed moves downwardly. This frees the head I3 so that spring I6 is effective to break the toggle and return the head to its open position.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a modification of the connection between the power device and the valves in casing 32. In this arrangement a bracket 43 supported from the casing 35a or other suitable fixed member rotatably supports a jaw clutch member 44. A coacting jaw is rigidly connected by a pin 46 with an arm 4T which is connected with the direrential piston device in a manner analogous to the function performed by bracket 36 already described. This arm il however has a bifurcated end i8 which engages a pin 49 which is carried back and forth by the connecting member 35d of the diiferential piston device. A pin 45a rigid with jaw 35 has a sliding fit in a suitable bore in arm 4l' for a purpose later described. A rod 5i! passes freely through the clutch member 5d and is secured to the clutch member 45 by making the two parts a driving t or by any other suitable means. Where pin i6 passes through rod 5E and through the hub of the jaw clutch member 45 a slotted portion 5l is provided for a purpose later described. On the left end of rod 50 as viewed in Fig. 3 is a collar 52 which is engaged by the upstanding arm 53a of a bellcrank lever 54 which in turn is pivotally mounted on a suitable portion of the frame.

The arm 53h of the bellcrank lever is connected by a rod 55 with a suitable treadle 55 so that depression of treadle 56 disengages the clutch members 44 and 35. A spring 5'! biases the clutch members toward engagement. The clutch member 44 is pivotally connected by a link 58 with valve Vvalves in Ycasing 32 in Fig. 1. closed the parts of Figs. 2 and 3 occupy the posi- 4bil biases jaw 44 in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2.

.The operation of the device of Figs. 2 and 3 is similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1, it being understood that these parts merely supplant similar parts shown in connection with the power device 35 and the With the press tion shown. When' power is supplied to motor Il to preliminarily close the press iiuid flows through conduit 42 against the lefthand face of piston 35e which Vmoves the differential piston valves toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2A against the biasing Aaction of pressure fluid against piston 35h. It will be `noted' from Fig. 3 that the teeth engaged' between the jaws 44 and 45move idly over each other as jaw member is rotated in a clockwise direction with reference to jaw 44 while the differential piston device moves toward the right as seen in Fig. 2. Upon release of one of the manuals Zd or 22d pressure is exhausted through conduit 42 as already described and the differential piston: device moves toward the left in Fig. 2 driven by aV piston 35h. 'I'he ratchet teeth of the jaw clutch device are then drivingly engaged and both jaws 44 and 45 move in a counterclockwise direction to close valve 32h and to open valve 32a. YThe valves remain in this position and the press remains closed until the operator depresses treadleV 56 which rotates. bellcrank lever '54 in a clockwise direction and moves rod 5i! and jaw clutch member 45 toward theV right in Fig. 3, the slot 5I permitting this movement and the pin 45a guiding it; This disengages the ratchetteeth and spring 60 returns jaw 44 and the valves in casing 32 to the position of Fig. 2 thus exhausting motor 3a and opening the press as previously described.

What I claim is:

l. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a first step `into preliminary closed position and a second stepv into final closed position, control members rfor said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, a power device for actuating said second step control member, and means for operating said power device b-y operation of said first step control member successively in power supply and power cut-oii directions. Y

2. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members. power means. for causing relative approach movement between said membersin two steps, a firstv step into preliminary closed position and a second step into inal closed position, control `members for saidpower means, one control member for caus- `ing each step of the operation thereof, a power device for actuating said second step control member, said device having astroke in memberengaging direction and a stroke in member-operating direction, vmeans biasing said device in member-operating direction, and operating means for causing movement of said power device in member-engaging direction including said first stepcontrol member.

3. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members Vin two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, a servo- Amotor for actuating said second step control member, said servomotor being operable by iiow and exhaust of pressure fluid to and from said motor, means for controlling the iiow and exhaust of said pressure fluid, and said last named means including said first step control member.

4. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative app-roach movement between said members in two steps, a rst step into preliminary closed'position and a second step into nal closed position, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, a power device for actuating said second step control member, said power device including. movable piston means and motive fluid supply to opposite faces oi said piston means, said piston means and fluid supply being arranged to actuate said second step control member by shifting of the preponderance of fluid pressure between said opposite faces, and means for controlling r.

relatively movable pressing members, power f means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step 'into nal closed position, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, a power device oscillatable to actuate said second step control member, and operating means for oscillating said power device requiring actuation of said first step control member into and out of power means actuating position.

6. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step' oi the operation thereof, a power device for actuating said second step control member, means connecting said power device with said second step control member whereby the said'control member is actuated upon energization and deenergization of said power device, and means for energizing and deenergizing saidpower device by movement of said first step control member into and out ciY power means actuating position.

'7. In a pressing machine, a pair oi coacting relatively movable, pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a iirst step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, said power means including a fluid actuated motor for causing said first step movement, a supply of motive fluid for said motor, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, said first step control member comprising valve means for supplying and eX- hausting fluid to and from said motor, a iiuid actuated device for actuating said second step control member upon supply and exhaust of iiuid to and `from said device, means for controlling iiuid flow to and-*from said device simultaneously with the control of fluid ow to and from said motor, and means for delaying the exhaust of uid from said motor.

8. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a first stepI into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, said power means including a fluid actuated motor for causing said rst step movement, a supply of motive fluid for said motor, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, said first step control member comprising a valve for supplying iiuid to said motor, a device for actuating said second step control member and normally out of operative engagement therewith, said device having a movement into operative engagement with said associated control member and a member actuating movement, biasing means acting on said power device for causing one of said movements, iiuid actuated means for causing the other of said device movements upon supply and exhaust of fluid thereto, means for supplying and exhausting fluid to and from said last named means upon the supply and exhaust of fluid to said motor, and means for delaying the exhaust of uid from said motor.

9. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a rst step into preliminary closed position and a second step into final closed position, said power means including a iluid actuated motor for causing said iirst step movement, a supply of motive fluid for said motor, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, said first step control member comprising a valve for supplying fluid to said motor, a device for actuating said second step control member and normally out of operative engagement therewith, said device having a movement in one direction to engage its associated control member and a movement in the opposite direction to actuate the said control member, said device including a smaller servomotor for causing said member-actuating movement and a larger servomotor for causing said member-engaging movement, means for continuously supplying iluid under line pressure to said smaller servomotor, and means for supplying and exhausting uid under line pressure to said larger servomotor upon the supply and exhaust respectively of motive uid to said rst step operating motor.

l0. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement between said members in two steps, a first step into preliminary closed position and a second step into nal closed position, said power means including a uid actuated motor for causing said first step movement, a supply of motive fluid for said motor, control members for said power means, one control member for causing each step of the operation thereof, a device for actuating said second step control member and normally out of operative engagement therewith, said device having a movement in one direction to engage its associated control member and a movement in the opposite direction to actuate the said control member, means biasing said device for causing said member-actuating movement, a servomotor for causing said member-engaging movement, and means for supplying and exhausting fluid to and from said servomotor upon the supply and exhaust of motive uid to and from said rst step operating motor.

11. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, power means for moving one of said members into pressing position adjacent the other member, said means including parts constructed and arranged so that said one member when in pressing position resists pressure against it, a control member for said power means, power means for moving said other member into engagement with said one member, a control member for said last named power means, a power device for operating said last named control member, and means for effectively actuating said power device for control member operation by movement of said first named control member into and out of power means actuating position.

12. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, power means for moving one of said members into pressing position adjacent the other member, said means including parts constructed and arranged so that said one member when in pressing position resists pressure against it, a pair of spaced safety control members requiring coincidental use of both hands of an operator for actuating said power means, power means for moving said other member into engagement with said one member, a control member for said last named power means, a power device for operating said last named control member, and means for eiectively actuating said power device fcr control member operation by movement of both of said rst named control members into and at least one control member out of power means actuating position.

13. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, power means for moving one of said members into pressing position adjacent the other member, said means including parts constructed and arranged so that said one member when in pressing position resists pressure against it, a control member for said power means, power means for moving said other member into engagement with said one member, a control member for said last named power means, a servomotor for operating said last named control member b-y supply and exhaust of pressure uid to and from said motor, and means for controlling the flow and exhaust of said pressure fluid by operation of said first named control member in power supply and power cut-off directions.

14. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting pressing members, each movable toward the other, power means for moving one of said members into pressing position adjacent the other member, said means including parts constructed and arranged so that said one member when in pressing position resists pressure against it, a control member for said power means, power means for moving said other member into engagement with said one member, a control member for said last named power means, a power device for engaging and operating said last named control member, said power device including movable piston means and motive fluid supply to opposite faces of said piston means, said piston means having a constant iiuid supply to one of said faces tending to move said power device in control-member-actuating direction, said piston otherface by actuationof` said first named con-` trol member -into and Y out fof power-means-actuating position.

15; In'fa pressing-machine, a pair of coactingl pressing members, each movable toward the other, power-means for moving one of said members into pressing position adjacent the other member, said means including parts constructed and arranged so Ythat said one member when in pressing position resists 'pressure against it, a control member for said power means, power means for moving said other member into engagement with said one member, .a control member for said last named power means, a power device for operating said last-named control member, saidrpower device being effective for control memberv actuation upon energization and deenergization thereof, and means for energizing and deenergizing said power device by movement of saidflrst named control Vmember into and out of power means actuating position.

vpressing position, uid supply means for said motor including valve means, a second fluid motor for moving said other member toward saidv one member, fluid supply means forisaid second motor including a control valve, an actuating member for said last named control valve, a device for actuating said second motor control valve and normally out of operative engagement with the actuating member therefor, said device having a movement in one direction to operatively engage its associated valve actuating member anda movement in the opposite direction to actuate the said valve, Vmeans biasing said device for causing one of its movements, a servomotor for causing the other of its movements, and `means for supplying and exhausting fluid to said servomotor upon actuation of said rst named control Yvalve means into and out Vof motor actuating position, said fluid supply means for said first motor being arranged to delay uid exhaust therefrom,

17. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members,`each movable towardV the other, a fluid motor and mechanism for moving one of said members into pressing position adjacent the other member, said mechanism including parts adapted to resist pressure against said one member when in said pressing position, ud supply and exhaust means for said motor, a second fluid motor for moving said other member toward said one member, fluid supply means for said second motor including a control valve, an actuating member for said control valve, a device for actuating said second Y motor control valve and normally out of operative engagement with the actuating member therefor, said device having a movement-in one direction to operativelyV engage its associated valve actuating member and a movement in the opposite direction to actuate the said valve, a smaller servomotor for causing said valve actuating movement, a larger servomotor for causing said Vactuating member engaging movement,

means forcontinuously supplying fluid under line pressure to said smaller servomotor, and means for supplying and exhausting fluid under line pressure to said larger servomotor upon the supply and exhaust respectively of motive fluidi to said first named motor.

18. In a pressing machine, coacting head and bed pressing members, a fluid motorrarrd mechanism for placing said head in position adjacent said bed, means biasing said head. away from said said mechanism including parts adapted to resist vpress "opening movement of saidfhead when head is in said adjacent position, uidsupply means' for said motor including a pair of safety' control valves spaced apart to require operation of both valves coincidentally and arranged so that operation of both valves is necessary to effectivelyA supply fluid to said motor, at least one of said valvesrhaving a normally open outlet port, a second fluid motor for moving said bed against said head in its adjacent position'and adapted to hold said head against returning movement of said biasing means, fluid supply meansA for said second motor including a control valve biased in fluid exhaust direction, an actuating member for said last named controlvalve, a fluid actuated device adapted when energized to effectively engage said valve actuating member, means vbiasing said device for movement of said actuating member in valve-actuating direction when said device is deenerg'ized, a fluid supply line for energizing and deenergizing said device and communicating with said rst motor supply means on the motor side of the control valves thereof, and means for disengaging said device and said valve actuating member to permit the associated valve to return to Vfluid exhaust position.

19. The combination of claim 18, and in which the fluid supply means for said first named motor includes parts arranged for rapid fluid supply to and slow fluid exhaust from said flrst named motor.

*20. In a pressing machine a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, motor means operable in two steps for causing relative approach movement between said pressing members, a first step into preliminary position and a second step into final pressing position, control members forY said motor means for controlling each of said steps, and an operative connection between a control member for the rst step and a control member for the second step operative to move said second step control member in fluid supply direction upon movement of said rst step control member in fluid supply and then in fluid cut-offdirections. Y

21. In a pressing machine a pair of coacting' relatively movable pressing members, a motor for causing relative movement between said members and into a preliminary position, a'second motor for causing relative movement between said members and into flnalpressing position, a control member for each motor, and an operative connection between said control members operable to move said second motor control member in fluid supply direction by movement of said first motor control member in fluid supply and then in fluid cut-01T directions.

22. In a pressing machine a pair'of coacting relatively movable pressing members, a motor for causing relative movement between said members and into a preliminary position, a second motor for causing relative movement between motor both of which must be operated to actuate the motor, and a control for said second motor associated with one of said control members for said rst motor, and an operative connection between said associated control members for actuating the control member for said second motor in fluid supply direction upon movement of both of the control members for said first motor in fluid supply direction and said one control member therafter in fluid cut-off direction.

23. In a pressing machine a pair of coacting pressing members, mechanism for moving one of said members into position adjacent the other, said mechanism being constructed and arranged anos-,519

JAM'ES M. DEWEY. 

